Scholarships & Financial Aid

Blair Academy at Vanderbilt is committed to making the study of music possible for all qualified students. The scholarship program was established by the founders of the school in 1965. Auditions take place each spring; awards are made for the coming academic year. Financial assistance is not available for adults (over the age of 19 or has graduated from high school) enrolled in the Academy. Limited funds may be available for new students at other times of the year. See the Blair Academy Handbook or contact Elm Stephenson, the Academy registrar, for more information.

If you are not a current Blair Academy student and are looking for scholarship information, please contact the Academy registrar, Elm Stephenson.

Departmental Audition Requirements

All auditions for 2024-2025 scholarships will be held live in the spring semester. Scholarship applications will be available starting on February 16, and they are due by March 8. Teacher recommendations are due April 1.

Please note: Vanderbilt Youth Choirs and Vanderbilt Youth Orchestra scholarship applications are separate. Please talk to your ensemble instructor for further information.

  • Brass

    Please prepare two contrasting etudes or passages of solo pieces (5-7 minutes).

  • Fiddle

    Please prepare two contrasting pieces (5-7 minutes).

  • Guitar

    Please prepare two contrasting works. Together, these two pieces should be a minimum of five minutes in length. Please bring a copy of your repertoire to your audition.

  • Harp

    Please prepare two contrasting pieces (5-7 minutes).

  • Jazz

    Please prepare two pieces of contrasting style. Selections must include multiple choruses of improvisation.

  • Organ

    Please prepare to play 7-10 minutes of music. Students are recommended to have 4-5 years of piano instruction.

  • Percussion

    Please prepare a two-mallet or four-mallet marimba solo or etude (4-7 minutes), and a concert snare drum solo or etude (2-5 minutes).

  • Piano (Current Grade 6 and Below)

    Please prepare two contrasting pieces from two contrasting eras. Music must be memorized.

  • Piano (Current Grade 7-11)

    Please prepare two contrasting pieces from two contrasting eras. Music must be memorized.

  • Strings

    Please prepare one piece or two contrasting pieces, at the student's discretion.

  • Suzuki Strings

    Pre-twinkle students: please perform one activity determined with the teacher
    Book 1 students: please perform one piece
    Book 2 and above: please perform two contrasting pieces

  • Voice

    Please perform two pieces that demonstrate current vocal ability. At least one piece must either be an art song or a folk song arrangement, the second piece can be chosen from the following styles: art song, folk song arrangement, solo portion of a choral piece, hymn arrangement, classical musical theater (no belt), or American song book jazz standard. Selections may be performed with an accompaniment track, or a live accompaniment.  Students must provide their own pianists if they intend to audition with live accompaniment. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by September 1, 2024, and either a junior or senior in high school. Students must be able to read music well enough to learn music on their own.

  • Woodwinds

    Please prepare two contrasting pieces, no more than 8 minutes in length.

If you have questions regarding your scholarship application, contact registrar Elm Stephenson at 615-322-7655 or via email. If you are not a current Blair Academy student and are looking for scholarship information, please contact the Academy registrar, Elm Stephenson.

MJB-4

Myra Jackson Blair and Gilbert Memorial Senior Scholarship

  • Private Study and Class Responsibilities
    1. Private lessons – a grade of ‘B’ or higher demonstrating active participation in lessons, regular practice as assigned, punctuality and excellent attendance is expected.
    2. Class enrollment and class participation in Music Theory class and Music History (2 years, beginning in grade 9) with a grade of ‘B’ of higher. Active participation, attention to homework preparation and excellent class attendance are expected.
    3. Attendance at MJB Fall Orientation 
      is required.
    4. Dr. Ebin will schedule several MJB events throughout the year. You must attend at least one event per semester.
    5. All scholarship students are expected to demonstrate attendance at two concerts per semester – see Faculty Recitals/Concerts.*
    6. Eligible instrumental and voice students are expected to participate in the Vanderbilt Youth Orchestra or the Vanderbilt Youth Choir Programs as appropriate.
    7. Piano students are required to enroll in Collaborative Piano or Chamber Music for at least two semesters.
    8. Musicianship Studio is optional and highly valuable; the scholarship does cover this tuition
  • Scholarship Recital Performance Requirements
    1. All Myra Jackson Blair scholarship students are required to perform a solo on one scholarship recital in the fall semester. The recital serves as the student’s jury. The fall
      recital dates are November 16, December 3, and 4. In the spring semester, all graduating seniors will perform on the May 4 Senior Graduation Recital. All MJBs are required to attend this special recital.
    2. Recital information should be submitted to Director, Dr. Zachary Ebin by November 1 (fall semester) and April 11 (spring semester). Work with the studio teacher and accompanist to select and submit a first and second choice of recital date.
    3. Students are responsible for obtaining their own accompanists for scholarship recital. See your studio teacher for instructions. Invite parents, relatives and friends to the recital. As a courtesy to other performers, all students are expected to stay for the duration of the program.
  • Faculty Recitals/Concerts

    All scholarship students are expected to attend at least two ticketed concerts at the Blair School of Music per semester. Please send a picture of your ticket to Dr. Ebin at
    zachary.ebin@vanderbilt.edu.


    Attendance must be in person at the Blair School of Music. Livestream concerts are
    encouraged, however they do not count toward mandatory concert attendance.

  • Grades

    Each student will receive a grade in private lessons and classes in which he/she is enrolled. A grade average of "B" or better must be maintained in each subject. A student will be put on probation at mid-semester if their grade in classes or lessons is B-minus or below in either classes or lessons. At the end of the term, if the grade or grades are not up to the required level, the scholarship may be rescinded.

  • Scholarship Renewal

    Scholarships are not guaranteed, nor are they renewed automatically. Students must audition each year. The Faculty Audition Committee will base its decision on the student's progress and audition competition, participation in classes, recital attendance, and outreach.

  • Additional Opportunities

    MJB scholars are afforded the opportunity to study Chamber Music and Musicianship Studio if so indicated on their scholarship award letter. These are optional.

Programs and Classes